Aileen Gilroy has played every possible game throughout her AFLW career and on Saturday against the Pies, she will reach the 50-game milestone.
Plucked as a talented prospect from her a Gaelic football background in Ireland, Gilroy's first taste of the Aussie rules came after signing as a rookie with North Melbourne in the 2019 rookie signing period.
Her time in the blue and white saw Gilroy play 28 games for the Kangaroos, from her debut in Round 1 of the 2020 season until the end of 2022 (Season 6).
Gilroy joined Hawthorn as the new expansion club, in May of 2022.
Since then, she’s played 21 games in the brown and gold from 2022 (Season 7) to date.
During her time with the Hawks, Gilroy has finished top 10 in the best and fairest count in both years, namely she finished runner-Up in Hawthorn’s inaugural year.
Gilroy impression during her time at the brown and gold is highlighted by her immense appetite for the contest and her ability to lead both by voice and example.
The 31-year-old holds herself and her teammates to a high standard and is a big driver in shaping the Hawks’ competitive culture.
Gilroy kick-started her 2024 campaign with a bang last weekend, booting two goals and racking up 16 disposals in Hawthorn’s 38-point win over Carlton.
Gilroy spoke in an interview with fellow 50-gamer Casey Sherriff, highlighting some stand out moments of her career to date.
She shared details of the moment which saw her decide to make the move to Hawthorn.
“When I asked, ‘What position are you wanting me to play?’ they were like ‘Well what position do you want to play?’ and I thought that was really open because they asked me what I wanted, which was a huge part,” Gilroy said.
“And I always said I always wanted to be a forward and I never got that opportunity, so I think that was a massive part in deciding to come or not.
“An obviously it’s exciting, a new football club and what I can do for a new football club. I think my personality actually grew when I came to Hawks so that was really nice, and I definitely had a good season that year and I felt like I could express myself and I’m fly with my decision.”
Gilroy expressed gratitude for those who have helped her across her journey to 50 games.
“Just my family and friends really and obviously Peter (her partner) as well who’s been huge, because he’s literally having to give up his career break to come out to support my career which is obviously really special,” she said.
“Having my Dad and my sister here from Ireland for my 50th is always really special, because I didn’t think that Dad would ever do that flight… So that’ll be pretty special as well.
“And obviously North Melbourne, like I wouldn’t have been picked up if not for them which is a massive part, because they were taking a big gamble bringing a person over who’d never ever kicked an oval ball and who was coming off two ACLs, so I have to definitely thank them.
“But obviously Hawks as well. I’ve been so lucky, I’ve never missed a game in my career, so obviously the strength and conditioning and all that because I’ve definitely battled injury but they always manage to get me back out on track to play games.”
Hawthorn Senior Coach Daniel Webster had nothing but praise for Gilroy and the way she conducts herself on and off field.
“Gilly is just fantastic, a lot of fire in the belly and very passionate about the football club and the team and just wants to have success so badly and she sets such a great example in that,” Webster said.
“You can see it on the weekend, her competitiveness is through the roof, and she was able to impact the scoreboard on the weekend and she sets the tone for the team, she’s a great asset to have.”
Watch Gilroy’s highlights from her 49 games so far.
